District showdown set

October 18, 2013

Key district matchups are on tap for this Friday' high school football frenzy.

Ida Baker (7-0, 1-0 district) and South Fort Myers (5-2, 1-0) likely will determine the District 6A-12 champion and runner-up tonight when they collide at South.

Both will have one district game left against East Lee County or Lehigh, both of which are winless this season. Only a stunning upset in one of those games could spoil the euphoria for the Bulldogs or Wolfpack.

Article Photos

MICHAEL PISTELLAMariner junior Josh Eugene (9) breaks into the open field against Golden Gate last Friday. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

MICHAEL PISTELLAMariner senior Leo Reyes (13) is pursued by Golden Gate defenders in last Friday night’s 48-14 loss. The Tritons (0-7) travel to Lemon Bay this Friday still looking for their elusive first victory. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

MICHAEL PISTELLAMariner senior Anthony Chambers (34) tracks down a Golden Gate runner during the Tritons’ game last Friday night. The Tritons, still in search of their first win, travel to Lemon Bay tonight for a District 5A-14 match. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

In a couple of key District 5A-14 matchups tonight, Island Coast looks to tighten its grip on a postseason berth in the Gators' next-to-last district game against Cypress Lake. Likewise, Cape High can climb back into a district postseason slot by knocking Dunbar out of the second spot.

Mariner and Lemon Bay, the last two teams in the seven-team district, play for some pride and bragging rights in an otherwise meaningless contest.

If the Seahawks are to leap back into second place in their district, they must do it against Dunbar tonight at Dave Warkentin Field. The Tigers (4-2, 3-0) currently are holding down the second spot with the Seahawks knocking on the door in third.

Seahawks quarterback Dylan Bontrager was stellar last week against Lemon Bay, throwing six TD passes. He completed 20-of-26 for 323 yards with four of the TD strikes coming in the first half.

"We've got to get this one ...," Seahawks coach Larry Gary said.

Eamon Smart has provided much of the running threat, chewing up 147 yards on the ground against the Rays.

Island Coast (5-1, 4-0), which leads the district standings, can clinch at least a postseason appearance with a win over Cypress Lake (1-5, 0-3). The Gators' only remaining district match is against Dunbar on Oct. 25.

The Gators have won five of their last six games and four straight against district rivals so far.

Mariner's season keeps sliding in the wrong direction as points have been hard to come by this season.

Tritons first-year coach James Hale, however, is pleased with the effort saying, "We competed hard. Playing a lot of 14-15 year-olds is hard because they are learning each week."

The Tritons (0-7) go on the road this Friday looking for their first win of the season at Lemon Bay.

Oasis has lost three opponents off its schedule this season, including last week's forfeit by Miami Northwest Christian. This week's opponent, Lawrence Academy, canceled its remaining schedule as well. The Sharks play at Gateway Charter on Oct. 25 after a 21-day layoff.